Preparing for Employment

To successfully transition to adulthood, all youth should be exposed to a range of work-based exploration experiences such as site visits, community service, job shadowing, and paid and unpaid internships. Unfortunately, it is estimated that only one-third of young people with disabilities who need job training receive it.

To adequately prepare youth for real-world employment, career and technical education should be based on state or industry standards, and youth should be taught using varied learning strategies that are appropriate to each individual.

In order to help youth make informed choices, youth should undergo a career assessment that includes, but is not limited to, interest inventories, and formal and informal vocational assessments. They should also be exposed to job training and career opportunities that provide a living wage.

Parents also play an important role in providing invaluable career guidance and support to young adults with and without disabilities. Parents help teenagers prepare for adult work by providing positive adult models to follow; exposure to careers and occupations; clear expectations -- neither too high nor too low; contacts and networks in the community; and values and attitudes such as discipline, concentration, and a willingness to take on challenges.

Finding a job may seem like a daunting task for someone with a disability. People with disabilities are often uncertain as to what kinds of jobs are available to them and whether they are qualified to do those jobs. In fact, it is common for persons with disabilities to underestimate their own skills and abilities when looking for a job. While it is natural to have fears about entering the workforce, remember this: no matter what your disability, there is a job out there for you. It may take more time and effort to find that job, but it can be done!

Other Resources

CareerConnect
Resources for people who want to learn about the range and diversity of jobs performed by adults who are blind or visually impaired throughout the United States and Canada.

Career One Stop
This site can help youth identify interests, explore careers, plan a job search, and write a resume.

Disability Benefits 101: Young People and Benefits
A web site helping Minnesota youth with disabilities and their families learn about important benefit programs for young people, postsecondary education options and ways to pay for them, and how income may impact benefits.

Discovery
The Discovery process gathers information about student interests, strengths, environments or activities where they are at their best, supports that are effective for them, and present levels of performance which is then captured in a written Vocational Profile. This Rural Institute on Disabilities Web site provides a brief description of the Discovery process and tools to help others effectively implement this strategy.

Kids as Self Advocates (KASA)
This page on the KASA web site has reports by youth and young adults with disabilities and links to other organizations and agencies that can give you information about work.

Flexible Funding for Job Success
A publication from the Institute for Community Inclusion that provides ideas for how consumers control how their agency dollars are spent with "flexible" or "consumer-directed" funding.